Police in Embu County have opened investigations in the mysterious death of a 24-year-old Kenyan man who was busted stealing from a local church.
Muchangi Ireri was found dead inside a police cell, where he was being detained after being arrested for allegedly stealing from Salvation Army Kigumo Corps (church) in Embu East sub-county.
The suspect, who was being detained at Kigumo Police Post, was found dead by police officers on duty hours after his arrest.
Muchangi was found stealing from a church kitchen after the wife of Pastor Dickson Mugendi laid a trap to catch the person who had been stealing from them.
“On that night I went to sleep at around 9.30 pm. My wife hid in the kitchen where she remained praying to God for intervention over the theft of foodstuff and a chicken a few days earlier. The man entered the kitchen around 10.30 pm. She closed the door and screamed for help. Neighbors responded and arrested him,” he said.
Mugendi said he pleaded with the irate mob not to lynch the suspect since they were inside a church compound.
“I called the corps-sergeant major (church chairman) Elizabeth Wangui who came and later informed the police. The man was taken to the police post. We recorded a statement. The following day the police called us and told us that the man had died,” said Mugendi.
While confirming the incident, Embu East Deputy OCPD Michael Wachira said an autopsy will be done to establish the cause of the suspect’s death. His body was taken to Runyenjes mortuary.
